11. 02. 2005

Wearable gardening stool

I know it looks really funny, but I'm in love with this wearable gardening stool (yes, you wear it on your butt). Last spring, I injured my back trying to lift a behemoth television set into my sunroom. I know you're supposed to use your legs to do this, not your back, but I forgot this rule, and before I knew it, I was on the floor and unable to move. It was a humbling experience, as I've always prided myself on being strong and able to do most of the heavy tasks around the house that my friends tend to leave to their husbands (now I occasionally borrow those same husbands when I have to move anything bigger than a footstool).

I don't have a green thumb, but I love to get out in my backyard and weed and trim and mulch, especially when I need to think something through (beats chewing on my knuckles). But these days, I last about 15 minutes before my back gives out. This wearable, lightweight stool (about 4 pounds, made of "sturdy co-polymer"), available from Clean Air Gardening, allows you to easily walk around the garden and plop down whenever you want to work on something closer to the ground (the height can be adjusted). According to the background story on the website, this European gadget was designed for milking cows. Wisconsin vegetable farmers adapted it for their workers, to reduce strain on knees and backs. I'll use mine inside the house too, when feeding the dog, vacuuming under beds, fixing plumbing. It sells for $48.95 at Clean Air Gardening.

Note: I've refrained from using the real name of this gadget lest some unwanted results show up in our google ads.

Comments (4)

The origin of this object is the traditional swiss milking stool (carrying the colorful name of "botte-cul"). It is usually made of wood, with a leather strap. There was an art exhibition all over Europe a couple of years ago by students of the Lausanne Art School, showing modern reinterpretation of this object, see
http://www.design2004.be/le_botte_cul.htm.

I wasn't aware of this more light and comfortable version. I wonder if we can find it here... in Switzerland :-)

However, you have to consider that, with your site's description being "Personal Tech - Innovative Lifestyle for Women" some of your readership may find that kind of ad rather... Stimulating? Maybe enough to stimulate a few clicks ;-)

This stool is pretty unstable and the connection between the base and the spring is shoddy and slips alot. I bought this for my mother on your recommendation and I'm actually kind of worried to let her use it now. Did you actually use this thing before posting about it? I agree that it's totally awesome in concept, but the quality of the worksmanship totally sucks!

Sorry this product didn't work out for you, Dennis. I hope you were able to return it. Thanks for letting us know about your experience with it. I had not heard of any problems with this product before. I agree that the concept is great, and hopefully the manufacturer will respond with improvements after hearing from customers like yourself.

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